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'Every Bollywood actor wants to come on television'

Amrita Rao's kid sister Preetika has made her television debut with a soap called Beintehaa, on Colors.

Preetika worked as a journalist before switching to films. She made her debut in Tamil cinema with Chikku Bukku.

She talks to Rajul Hegde about her television show and sister Amrita.

Did you always want to be an actor?

I always wanted to become a model and by the grace of God, that was fulfilled and I got to do so many ads.

I even got to do an ad with Amitabh Bachchan.

I never thought I would become an actor though I got many offers. Amrita was more passionate about acting.

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'Amrita's passion for cinema is greater than mine'

So was your sister instrumental in you becoming an actor?

She has been in the industry for a while now and I have grown up watching her career.

She has inspired me. She is a much better actor.

Her passion for cinema is greater than mine. I have been doing other things like modelling, journalism... but she has always been focused.

Your sister was part of a television reality show. Did she give you any tips?

She is not very familiar with the television industry, although she has been on television as a judge.

Just from her career, I have learnt a lot about this industry which is similar.

Television is tougher; we have to work for hours, going without sleep...

Which of Amrita’s films is your favourite?

Welcome to Sajjanpur, where she has really gotten into the character.

I have never seen her like that, it was pretty impressive.

'Indian television is quite apprehensive of Muslim shows'

How did you land a role in television?

I had taken a break from South movies and gone to the US. When I came back, there was an influx of television offers, so I thought why not!

Television has become very glamorous and every Bollywood actor wants to come on television.

I auditioned and was selected for four shows.

Beintehaan is a prime-time show. The concept of Beintehaan is what drew me to the show.

What is your character like?

I play Alia who comes from Bhopal. She is today's Muslim girl. She is a bit tomboyish.

Alia and Zain are cousins and they don't get along, but situations happen such that she ends up marrying him. The drama unfolds after that.

Did you do any kind of homework for the role?

I didn't do any preparation as such. But I follow Pakistani shows a lot on YouTube. I love them because some of them are really very interesting and the Urdu is much better.

When I was offered this show, I was very happy because Indian television is quite apprehensive of Muslim shows; it's ruled by Gujarati and Rajasthani soaps.

The first thing I told Farhaan (the producer) is that the best part of the show is that it has a Muslim background.

'I really enjoyed my life as a journalist'

Did you face any challenges when shooting?

I had to ride a bicycle in traffic on the first day of my shoot!

I had to do many rounds, and I even fell off.

In Bhopal, we worked for 24 hours. I hardly got time to sleep. Timings are really tough to manage.

What is the look like?

I Googled some of the Pakistani outfits and said that I want Alia to look like this.

Where did you work as a journalist?

I used to write gossip for Bangalore Mirror. I used to write for Deccan Chronicle and Asian Age.

I really enjoyed my life as a journalist. I met so many people and interviewed them.

'My mother is very happy to see me on television'

Your co-star Harshad is a newcomer. How is it working with him?

Coincidentally, Harshad and I were chosen for another show.

I was stunned to know that he was paired opposite me when I signed Beintehaan.

We have a good working rapport.

How did your family react?

They simply love the promos of the show. They are very excited to see the hoardings.

My mom is addicted to some TV shows. So she is very happy to see me on television.

What do you do when you are not working?

I like to blog, write, and watch stuff on YouTube.

Any plans to get into Bollywood?

I could have gone into Bollywood. In an interview I told a journalist that it wasn't that I was chosen to debut in South movies, but that the South chose me.

The same has happened here. I was chosen by television, which is a call of destiny.

There are some decisions in life that can’t be planned; it just happens.

I have done Telugu, Tamil and now a Kannada film is going to release very soon.